Hueso makes Senate bid official

Surrounded by family, friends and supporters in Barrio Logan Friday morning, San Diego Assemblyman Ben Hueso formally announced his bid for the state Senate by calling on lawmakers to put families first.

“Our campaign is about working together as a community,” he said. “Let’s endeavor to do big things in Sacramento.”

Democrat Hueso, 43, also called for a renewed effort at working across party lines in the Legislature.

“The most lasting policies are those achieved with bipartisan or multipartisan participation," he said.

Hueso is running to fill out the two years remaining in the 40th state Senate District term that Juan Vargas held.

On Thursday, Vargas took the oath of office in Washington as the new 51st Congressional District representative.

Hueso is widely viewed as having the inside track to replace Vargas. Among the dozens who attended his announcement at Chicano Park were San Diego Mayor Bob Filner and City Council President Todd Gloria, San Diego Supervisors Greg Cox and Dave Roberts, Imperial and San Diego County Labor Council leader Lorena Gonzalez, National City Mayor Ron Morrison and Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce chief executive Lisa Cohen.

Also among his priorities, Hueso said, is improving trade with Mexico and reducing border wait times.

“This is our greatest hope for job creation,” he said.

Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to call for a special election soon. Local election officials anticipate the primary for the seat will take place in late March.

The election will use the boundary lines that existed before 2011 redistricting and will include Imperial County and parts of San Diego and Riverside counties.